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Topic: A selection of Oberglas vases - some iridised, some not (Read 7065 times)

I've posted photos of a selection of the vases which I have mentioned from time to time (thread on Textured vases with Eye Pattern and elsewhere). These vases have some unique characteristics which leads me to believe they are probably from the same maker. The marigold vases have been found bearing the label OBERGLAS - Austria.

1. Mostly they have interesting and unusual "textures" in the form of the moulded pattern. For example, tree trunk effects, bubbles and bobbles etc.

2. On the ones I have examined, the neck may be ground (might be polished) and there is a narrow band that can also have some sort of pattern within it.

3. The shape of the vases can be straight sided, or "in and out", or with flattened panels. Interesting variety.

4. The base is usually patterned and is not ground.

5. Colours vary - clear glass, two colours (may be stained, not sure of this), and with light (may be cold applied, again I am not sure) iridescence. I have seen marigold, cranberry and green (very lightly) iridised.

Here are some pics - they are not the best and they are not recent. If we get chance to do a new set sometime I will post them, but at least this gives you an idea.

Moderator: The links below have been added below and can be seen at the bottom of this page in Glen's posting:

Oberglas can usually be defined by the abominable finish of the edges, the plastic inserts around stoppers, the shoddy mould definitions and the yellowish tinge of the glass. In short, it is a bottom feeder....

I wasn't trying to suggest that the vases would win prizes in a beauty parade. I was simply posting the photos and giving as much information as I could, as requested, so as to help anyone who finds a similar "mystery" vase in the future. I would have posted photos before but I have been very pressed for time (still am).

These vases have come up several times in discussions - the most recent being the Davidson Luna vase thread. When I first saw the one I call "Cascades" (the marigold bubbly one) I wondered if it might be Davidsons or Whitefriars. I discussed it with Chris Stewart and abandoned the Davidson idea.....and then discussed it with Whitefriars collectors, and abandoned the Whitefriars idea. So who the heck made it? I posted my query on the old Glass Message Board, with photos, but no-one had a clue.

For several years I had no idea - then finally found a vase with the Oberglas label. Mystery solved - hooray - and I also felt that there were various other "mystery" vases that I had seen that were probably Oberglas too.

So - I am simply offering these photos and my observations (for what they are worth) in order that other collectors who come across these items will know in future what they are.

Glen - Is that the right company ? STOELZLE OBERGLAS AG & CO, Koeflach, Austria

Glad you like it ...I noticed the same turned-out rim on your cranberry one - an unusual feature - do the others have that ?

$160 !! Maybe once people stop thinking they're Whitefriars even the non-carnival may become collectable in their own right. Quality is not so bad for fun glass. I'm surprised at the wide range you show.

Oberglass is not included but by chance I found this site Crinkled and Wrinkled Glasshttp://crinkle.freeservers.com/I think I may have ID'd a couple of my other wrinkly crinklies from it.

Very interesting to see your vases Glen. I recently sold this one but never knew what it actually was. Its the same as your "four sided tree trunk" taken from a different angle, but it is clear glass. I wish I'd kept it :roll: Regards Anne :lol: http://tinypic.com/6hrzhc.jpg

Hi Peter - I guess it's the right company. Oberglas was the name on the label - but I think they are not current or even recent production. I've known about the cranberry iridised one for some years now.

I'd take the $160 price tag with a pinch of salt. Mrs Q-B had one to sell in her auction some years back, so..........

I would guesstimate more in the region of Â£15 - Â£30 for a Carnival version, but who knows.

Your comment made me ponder on the quality of glass. Does it matter? There's plenty of splendid quality glass that I wouldn't give tuppence for. And then there's some mass produced glass that was originally sold at low cost that is now worth thousands $$$$$$